Topeka, Kan. – Washburn University said today that it plans to hold graduation ceremonies this spring in Yager Stadium. The outdoor location will provide a safer environment including space for sufficient social distancing. The plans call for ceremonies – which will include provisions for guests – at 3 p.m. on May 1 for 2020 graduates and at 3 p.m. on May 8 for this year’s graduates. The ceremonies will shift to the following day in the event of inclement weather.
The Washburn University School of Law will hold ceremonies for their graduates on May 15 at 10 a.m. for 2020 graduates and at 2 p.m. for 2021 graduates. Since those graduating classes are smaller, the School of Law ceremonies will be held in Lee Arena. Washburn Tech is making separate arrangements.
Washburn University President Jerry Farley said that Washburn has hoping to resume a more normal-looking graduation ceremony this year and to recognize students who graduated in 2020.
“Commencement marks an important milestone and achievement and we need to be able to properly recognize both this year’s class and those earlier graduates,” Farley said. “Everyone looks forward all year to graduation and we are thrilled to be able to hold a more conventional commencement ceremony for this year’s graduates and to fulfill our promise to the 2020 graduates.”
Washburn did hold virtual celebrations but Farley said that the university promised at the time that there would be an in-person graduation ceremony as soon as it was safe to do so.
“We were proud that our students, faculty and staff were able to adjust so quickly to the challenge of the pandemic and move forward to graduation,” said Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, vice president of academic affairs. “But we knew they wanted a ‘real’ graduation even if it looked a bit different from other years.”
Mazachek said that graduates from 2020 are being contacted and invited to return to campus to attend a conventional graduation ceremony. Each graduate will be allowed to invite up to six guests to join them and the entire ceremony will be live-streamed for any guests who aren’t able to attend.
“If we have additional space, graduates who need additional tickets for guests will have a chance to request them,” Mazachek said.
Guests will be invited to sit on both sides of the stadium with graduates and other participants seated on the football field. The concession stands will be open before and through the ceremonies.
“Of course, all of these plans are contingent on continued improvement of the pandemic situation here in Shawnee County,” Mazachek said. “We have been doing a great job on campus as well as in the county and we need to keep up the good work so that we can hold these important celebrations.”
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